HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – The East Central University baseball team concluded the season-opening Second Annual Mike Dugan Collegiate Invitational on a high note with a 4-2 win over Northwest Missouri State on Sunday afternoon. ECU finished the weekend 1-2 at Majestic Park.
 
"I am very proud of the way our young men approached all three games this weekend,' Head Coach Sunny Golloway said. "It isn't easy for them to change our culture overnight, but they are fighting with everything they have to do just that."
 
ECU had a scoring opportunity in the top of the first inning when Mason Glowacki singled to right field with two outs. Dawerlyn Amancio followed with a double to left field, but Glowacki was thrown out at home for the third out.
 
Both teams remained scoreless until an RBI double from the Bearkats in the bottom of the third drove in the first run of the game to lead 1-0.
 
The Tigers would answer back when Amancio doubled to right center to open the top of the fourth inning. He scored on Duncan Key's RBI single to tie the game 1-1.
 
In the fifth, Nick Blankenship led the inning off with a double up the middle and moved to third on a wild pitch. Cooper Hunt drew a walk and then was caught in a rundown between first and second, allowing Blankenship to steal from third, giving the Tigers its first lead 2-1.
 
ECU extended its lead 3-1 in the top of the sixth when Nolan Herchock tripled down the right field line. With two outs, Key drove in Herchock with his second RBI single of the game to pad the Tigers' lead.
 
NWMS added one more run in the bottom of the sixth to close the gap 3-2 heading into the final three innings.
 
In the top of the ninth, Key drew a walk and then advanced to second after a single in the left from Michael Rosario. Key and Rosario then stole third and second, respectively, with a throwing error by the catcher allowing Key to scamper home and push the Tiger lead 4-2.  
 
Kaleb Dent retired NWMS in the bottom of the ninth to seal the win.
 
"They have proven they want to be the guys to get our program on the winning track and I know they will give their all."
 
Starting pitcher Carson Thomas got the win, giving up two runs on eight hits in seven strong innings. Reliever Kaleb Dent got the save throwing two scoreless innings giving up only one hit.
 
The Tiger offense came alive with nine hits in the game.
 
Dawerlyn Amancio and Duncan Key led the way with two hits each. Amancio had two doubles while Key had two RBI singles.
 
Mason Glowacki, Nolan Herchock, Christian Whitaker, Michael Rosario, and Nick Blankenship each had one hit.

The East Central University baseball team will return to Ada for their home opener Tuesday, Feb. 9th at 2 p.m. against Randall University.